2012 Delaware Water Gap Earth Fair & Enviro-Film Fest

was a huge success! Vendors and attendees were thrilled and I'm happy to say we did right by our excellent films, Living Downstream by Sandra Steingraben, and Queen of the Sun: What the Bees are Telling Us from filmmaker Taggert Siegel. 

On Sunday April 15, 2012 from 11 am-5 pm, Dutot Museum and the borough of Delaware Water Gap hosted the Delaware Water Gap Eco-Film Fest and Earth Day. The Earth Fair is free, with Educational booths and presentations by Josie Porter Farm & CSA,  Forwardian Arts, Brodhead Watershed, Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation, Dierdre Nonnemacher Jewelry, Youth Infusion and Trips for Kids, Lehigh Valley Gas Truth, Stop Fracking PA, Liz Forrest for 189, Maureen Madden for 176, Cartwright for Congress. Musical performances by Lois "Earth Lovin'" Heckman & Maxwell Kofi Donkor, Seed Mandala Necklaces for Kids w. Flora and Friends. Organic popcorn, snacks and munchies will be provided by Black Bear Farm Organic Catering!! 

Documentary film screenings include "Queen of the Sun, What the Bees are Telling Us?" with a  1 hr. Family Screening @ 11, and a full screening at 3:20. "Living Downstream" , by Sandra Steingraber, Phd, documents the scientist's personal journey through cancer and her observations on the ecology of industrial contamination, screened at 1:30 and 5 pm. Advance tickets are $4 for the family screening for one adult and up to two children, and $5 for the full screenings for ages 12 and up, available at the Deerhead Inn during regular business hours. Door tickets will be $5/$6, and seating is limited.

Festival Events will take place at the Dutot Museum, the Deerhead Inn and the Castle Inn. The Dutot Museum is at 24 Main Street, Delaware Water Gap, PA 18327. More information, please contact Black Bear Farm, (BlackBearFarmFun@gmail.com)

Thanks to:

The Dutot Museum for being such a gracious host,  Josie Porter Farm for sponsoring Queen of the Sun and Brodhead Watershed Association for sponsoring Living Downstream. The Fair would not have been the special community event it was without the loyal participation of our vendors: Genesis Farm, Lehigh Valley Gas Truth, Monroe County Democratic Progressive Club, Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Josie Porter Farm, Flora Schubert Children's Activities

Read more about this event!
Pocono Record Article 1 "People & Owls Enjoy the Delaware Water Gap Eco-Film Fest"
Pocono Record Article 2 "Movie Screenings Part of Delaware Water Gap Earth Fair" 

Heidi Secord represents WAGN in the Land Down Under!

Heidi Secord is an inspirational friend first met at a community yoga class, now running the Josie Porter CSA. She is an amazingly informed farmer, a Northeast Regional Representative for Women's Agricultural Network, and has been invited to attend a women's agricultural conference in Australia, where she is giving the closing speech! Here is a blog about her trip!

Alice Wicks, Marge Wakefield, Josie Porter, Nancy Shukaitis and Janet Richards

are the names of five legendary Monroe County farmers. They are inspired, incredible women who shaped much of the rural heritage of the county during the latter part of the 20th century, and birthed the last of the baby boom.

Info on Alice Wicks

Alice Wicks' real name was "Gran". She made me warm eggs on a cold October morning in the 1970's,  on a cast iron stove at the West End Fairgrounds. She taught me a lot about life and she made me feel loved. She was a woman of vision, innovation, and yankee ingenuity. A great historian, a hard worker, and a noble female figure who embodies the American Farm Spirit.

Marge Wakefield was, first and foremost, a mom. She drove a VW bus and was surrounded by love, and boisterous activity. What I can think most about Marge was that she was an Enduring Spirit. Her husband Wes called the square dances at Quiet Valley, in the Engel Barn.

Josie Porter: I am sorry to say that I only met Josie Porter post-humously. I am good friends with her daughter Abigail, and helped at the Porter Farm after her mother's death. I met Abby's friend, Jim Silverthorne. I learned more about Rudolf Steiner, the Waldorf movement, and the school of Anthoposophy. I also had the privelege to live with many of Josie's possessions, including linen pillowcases, a beautiful swan barometer, and her beloved and much used loveseat.

Nancy Shukaitis is a beloved friend and childhood role model. She is an amazing inspiration to so many of us.

Janet Richards is the farm woman who I knew most intimately and saw most regularly. She was Gran.
I had a number of incredible women in my life in my early years: Grandmom Griffin, Grandma L, Gran Richards, and "Gram" Alice Wicks................Thank you ladies. You are with me everyday.

Women in Agriculture............

"Fresh from the Farm" photo credit Cassandre Griffin

Totally psyched to be invited to be the Northeastern PA coordinator for  PA Women In Agriculture..........here is a link to a recent conference at Penn State. Just created a Facebook Page for us! I've been talking it up to friends! Can't wait to roll up my sleeves and get started! Heidi Secord is the Pennsylvania coordinator. Heidi runs a CSA ( Community Supported Garden) at the Josie Porter Farm, in Stroud Township. Heidi was recently invited to attend a women's agriculture conference in Australia, and will give the closing remarks. SO thrilled to be part of the international women's agriculture movement!!